all wooden sgian??

[Panache]

I used to make knifes out of wood when I was bored and had free time. Any idea on the wood and design you want it in? I might be able to whittle ya one up.

I was going to offer the same but neo beat me to it. Just as well, I have a toy barn to finish restoring and then a dirk and sheath to build. But if he can't for some reason let me know.

Cheers

Panache

[cloves]

oh wow....all sorts of people ready to try their hand at being creative.

I had no plan or design in mind at all. How hard would this be to do myself? Suggested woods? Tools? .....heck..i'd even need dimensions.

All woodworks please chime in!!!!

[neo71665]

Its not hard at all. tools, um a hand saw to get a rough shape, pocket knife to whittle it down, and some sandpaper to smooth it out. You can get detailed and get a couple of cheap chisels for the design on the handle but I never have went that far and stopped at what I could do easily with a pocket knife.

woods: Pine and ceder are soft and carve easy but don't hold up long, use only if its gonna be a display piece or you wanna try to carve something easy for practice.

I would stick to hardwoods. Oak is easy to get but I want a sgian with a black walnut handle.

[Panache]

Its not hard at all. tools, um a hand saw to get a rough shape, pocket knife to whittle it down, and some sandpaper to smooth it out. You can get detailed and get a couple of cheap chisels for the design on the handle but I never have went that far and stopped at what I could do easily with a pocket knife.

cloves,

neo has all the basics down. The only thing I would add is that you will need at least three grades of sandpaper as you are working with the wood. Start with maybe 100 grit, then 150, and finish with 180 or 200 grit (the lower the number the rougher the paper). If carving designs isn't your thing an inexpensive wood burning kilt can burn a design on the handle. Or you can get a really nice small button, drill out a little hole in the back for the button's loop, and use two part expoxy to attach it. Here's a picture of the "sgian don'ts" I made last year.





Cheers

Panache

[cloves]

those are cool Panache. Did they start out as just a chunk of wood? How did you get you initial shape?

[neo71665]

I'm not him but I saw the rough shape out first then get my knife out and go to work.

[Panache]

those are cool Panache. Did they start out as just a chunk of wood? How did you get you initial shape?

(1) I would take a small rectangular block of wood ( 1 1/2" x 3/4" x 4") and trace a rough outline of the handle shape I wanted.

(2) I then would cut out that shape with a table saw (but there is no reason a small handsaw couldn't be used)

(3) I then would drill a hole into the rough shaped handle for the bottle opener.

(4) I then would shape the handle with a a belt sander (but whittling with a pocket knife would work just as well, especially if you have access to a porch and some good company to pass the time with)

(5) When the handle was the right shape and thickness I would use increasingly lighter grades of sandpaper and hand sand the handle to a smooth finish.

(6) I then would attach the bottle opener into the handle with two part expoxy and drill a very small shallow hole where I wanted to put the button.

(7) When the expoxy cured I would give the whole thing a last finishing sanding and stain the wood.

(8) I would attach the button with more two poart epoxy.

(9) Lastly I would give the wood a final polish with a little carnuba wax to make it shine.

Hope that is of help

Cheers

Panache

[neo71665]

This is one I had in the house I did awhile back. Its out of oak and was cut out with a coping saw, I knocked the sharp edges off with a pocket knife, and sanded it a bit. Nothing fancy.





PS yes I'm wearing pants I just got off work and remodeling our bathroom and the baby's nursery so please excuse the mess in the floor of the computer room.

[Livingston]

Yep, that was me. Sorry to chime in so late Here's the pic again.



I drew it out on the piece of wood and then used a band saw to rough it out. Next I used a dremel to smooth out and round over all the corners to get the shape of the handle. I then got out the belt sander and used that to shape the blade. Finally I got out the palm sander to get it all smooth. The finish is a spray poly or varnish, can't remember which right now.

I currrently have a 1.5" square by about 12" piece of ebony that I'm going to turn into a handle for a dirk and one or two sgain dubhs. Not sure when I'll start that project but probably late April or into May. I'll post the pics in the DIY section when I start.

[Panache]

Livingston I presume!

Sorry I couldn't remember that you were the artist behind the all wood sgian dubh.

It's a beautiful piece.

Cheers

Panache